Luke Littler booked his place in the BetMGM Premier League Play-Offs with his fourth nightly win of the season in Aberdeen on Thursday.
Littler defeated Rob Cross 6-4 in the final at P&J Live to win back-to-back nights for a second time, while fellow-Premier League debutant Luke Humphries also sealed his place in the top four.
Yet another mesmerising outing from the teenage sensation saw him come through a last-leg decider with Nathan Aspinall in the quarter-finals, before averaging 110 in a 6-1 demolition to book his place in the final - where a 102 average sealed the title.
"I'm just delighted to get over the line again and book my place at The O2," reflected Littler.
"That was my aim coming into the Premier League, so to have achieved that with two weeks to spare is a great achievement.
"I think I've definitely settled myself into the Premier League; the first few weeks were 'okay' and since then I've learned the routine and won four nights.
Luke Littler's winning run of 12 matches includes two Premier League nightly wins, a fourth title of the season, and seven averages over 100! And his legs difference is +37! pic.twitter.com/s3yLSiAFj8
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) May 2, 2024
"I'll still be aiming to win the next two nights coming up, and now I can play with freedom. After those nights my focus will be on London."
Cross' victories over Michael van Gerwen and Humphries earned him a second successive runner-up finish and the former World Champion stays in contention for the top four.
World Champion Humphries' place at The O2 was guaranteed thanks to a Bye win over Gerwyn Price, who withdrew due to back injury to miss the visit to Aberdeen and saw his own feint Play-Off hopes ended.
Humphries was bidding to win his own fourth league night of the season, but the world number one agonisingly missed out to Cross, spurning one match dart in the deciding leg.
AWESOME LITTLER WINS IN ABERDEEN! 💥
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) May 2, 2024
It's a fourth nightly win for Luke Littler in the 2024 BetMGM Premier League as he beats Rob Cross 6-4.
Another incredible night from the 17-year-old sensation 🔥
📺 https://t.co/gbUt9q25Jh#PLDarts pic.twitter.com/6sioVn565A
Heading into the final two league phase nights in Leeds and Sheffield, Aspinall and Van Gerwen occupy the last two Play-Off places, with Smith heading up the chasing pack ahead of Cross.
The 2024 BetMGM Premier League continues in Leeds next Thursday, as the darting roadshow rolls into the First Direct Arena on Night 15.
Littler will be looking to secure top spot in West Yorkshire as he takes on Wright in his opener, while Aspinall and Smith meet in a clash which will have major implications on the top four race.
Van Gerwen will be looking to get back to winning ways against Price, and Cross will be looking to keep his Play-Off hopes alive against Humphries.
The 2024 BetMGM Premier League will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK & Ireland, through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV for Rest of the World Subscribers.
2024 BetMGM Premier League results
Night 14 - P&J Live, Aberdeen
Quarter-Finals
- Michael Smith 6-4 Peter Wright
- Luke Littler 6-5 Nathan Aspinall
- Rob Cross 6-5 Michael van Gerwen
- Luke Humphries Bye (Gerwyn Price withdrawn)
Semi-Finals
- Luke Littler 6-1 Michael Smith
- Rob Cross 6-5 Luke Humphries
Final
- Luke Littler 6-4 Rob Cross
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